RP-US `Balikatan 2000' launched

The Philippines and the US launched yesterday large-scale joint military exercises called "Balikatan 2000" aimed at bolstering their capability to deal with regional security crises.

Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado and US chargé d'affaires Michael Malinowski said the resumption of the "Balikatan" (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises after a five-year lull would also strengthen bilateral defense ties.

The launching came amid a renewed word war between Manila and Beijing over territorial disputes on South China Sea islands and threats by communist guerrillas to harm US troops taking part in the month-long maneuvers, which start Monday.

Mercado, in a speech at the opening rites at Camp Aguinaldo, said a strong alliance with the US is vital in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

"The role of the US in maintaining peace has become more important, if not decisive, than ever before," he said. "The next 10 to 20 years will witness intense competition for trade opportunities and economic resources in our region."

Mercado said peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region are indispensable if the Philippines expects to benefit from the technological and economic leaps that intense competition will bring this century.

"Only in a region where no single emerging power can marginalize its developing neighbors can we share in the region's prosperity," he said.

Malinowski said the war games "serve as a visible, significant demonstration of continued US commitment to regional stability.

"Knowing that the US and Philippine militaries are working closely together to enhance capabilities will foster continuity and stability in the midst of regional change and transition," he said.

Mercado said the maneuvers, involving more than 2,500 US soldiers and 2,393 Filipino troops, were not aimed at any particular country.

It was an apparent reference to the Philippines' diplomatic tussle with China over alleged incursions by Chinese fishing boats in territory claimed by Manila in the Spratly archipelago and nearby Scarborough Shoal.

The Department of Foreign Affairs filed a diplomatic protest Thursday over the latest intrusion and Philippine Navy men boarded two Chinese fishing vessels caught on Scarborough Shoal, just 128 nautical miles off Zambales.

"This bilateral exercise is not meant to deliver any message to any country specifically," Mercado said. "The only message that we are sending the world is that the alliance between the US and the Philippines is alive."

He said the joint war games "are meant to prepare the Philippines and the US for the most likely contingencies that might require the use of our respective military resources."

Such emergencies do not refer only to military conflicts but also include natural disasters and political upheavals, he said.

Malinowsky said the exercises "will serve as a visible, significant demonstration of continued US commitment to regional stability."

Defense ties chilled when the Philippine Senate voted against the renewal of US basing rights in 1991, leading to the withdrawal of US forces from strategic air and naval bases the following year.

"We are trying to make our forces better able to respond to whatever emergencies that may come up," he said.

The exercises will be held at the Fort Magsaysay Army camp in Laur, Nueva Ecija, at the former Clark Air Base in Pampanga and Subic Naval Base in Zambales, in Palawan and Sangley Point in Cavite.

Aside from amphibious landings and live-fire exercises, the troops will also participate in medical and dental operations as well as construction of school buildings and artesian wells.

The launching of the war games yesterday was highlighted by the delivery of 300 M-35 military trucks by the US to the Philippines.

Malinowski said 30 of the trucks were already shipped straight to East Timor for use of the United Nations peacekeeping force led by Lt. Gen. Jaime de los Santos.

A coast guard cutter is also expected to arrive in the Philippines as part of the continuing US military assistance under the excess defense articles program.

"There will be a variety of items. We will work this out together to see what is available and what the Philippines needs," the US Embassy official said.

Senate Minority Leader Teofisto Guingona questioned yesterday the legality of holding joint military exercises based on a pending case filed before the Supreme Court.

"The executive department should have given due respect to the High Court which has yet to rule on the legality of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA)," he said.

The veteran lawmaker noted that while the foreign affairs and defense departments already issued official statements on the guidelines and conduct of exercises, it was still unclear how violators would be penalized, given what he called the inequitable provisions on jurisdiction over US soldiers.

Guingona said if the war games push through, the government must exert all its effort in preventing possible harm to civilians in the vicinity of the exercise.

He suggested that emergency rescue teams be on hand during the war games to ensure the safety of both troops and civilians,

"Concerned agencies and participating troops must cooperate and coordinate with each other to lessen the risk of accidents," Guingona said.

The annual exercises were suspended in 1996 due to a dispute on which government would have legal jurisdiction over US servicemen participating in the war games. The dispute was resolved when the Philippine Senate ratified the VFA in May last year.

Communist guerrillas terminated peace talks with the government after the agreement was signed, alleging that the joint exercises might be used by the government in its anti-insurgency drive.

Left-wing groups vowed to hound the war games with protest rallies. Communist guerrillas had earlier issued threats that the visiting troops were "legitimate targets" for attack.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday said 500 Filipino soldiers will be stationed around the various venues of the exercises to guard against communist attacks.

Mercado said they were hoping to have "peaceful exercises," stressing that most of the exercises will be confined to tightly guarded military bases.

"We have a threat by the communist party and (its armed wing) the New People's Army (NPA) who are saying they would make actions to prevent the exercises," Mercado said. "These acts of terrorism should not undermine our efforts at inviting foreign troops."

Mercado noted that the "terrorist groups" were looking to use the exercises as "propaganda" to bolster the insurgency.

In Pampanga, the militant Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD) has mobilized some 1,000 members and supporters in its plan to stage protests simultaneous with the military exercises.

The KDP has scheduled a whole-day "caravan mob rally" through Central Luzon's major towns on Jan. 31, when some 200 US soldiers are expected to arrive for a seminar in Clark Field.

The caravan, dubbed Sakay-Lakbay para sa Kalayaan ng Bayan, or "Sakbayan II," will start from various points, including Balanga, Bataan; Subic Freeport, Zambales; Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija; and Malolos, Bulacan. The protesters will converge in San Fernando in Pampanga before proceeding to Plaza Miranda in Angeles City.

KPD officials said over 100 vehicles are expected to join the caravan. - With reports from Ding Cervantes, Perseus Echeminada, Edith Regalado, Aurea Calica, Jaime Laude, wires